Over the past four years, the USAID Vietnam Low Emission Energy Program (V-LEEP) has worked with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to develop a Direct Power Purchase Agreement pilot program which will allow businesses to purchase clean power directly from solar and wind generators. It has also supported the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop Vietnam’s Power Development Plan #8 and worked with government regulators, banks, investors, and private sector developers to facilitate solar investments.

As USAID V-LEEP comes to a close early next year, on October 28, during the Indo-Pacific Business Forum being held in Hanoi, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock announced the launch of USAID V-LEEP II. This five-year, $36 million program will focus on improving government energy planning practices; increasing competition and private sector involvement in energy service provision; deployment of advanced, clean energy systems; and improving grid planning to incorporate clean energy transmission. It will also help Vietnam attract qualified investors for advanced energy projects and advise private firms to develop high quality and bankable projects.

So What? Energy demand in Vietnam is increasing by 10 percent annually. By working with the GVN and the private sector, USAID V-LEEP II will help accelerate Vietnam’s transition to a clean, secure, and market-driven energy system.